Country 105

Agriculture Report

Bee Report is Missed Opportunity

NFU slams report that calls for continued use of neonicotinoid treated seeds.

Length: 1:02

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The Grey County branch of the National Farmers Union of Ontario is slamming a report on bee health from the province.

Local NFU President Phil Woodhouse says it is a missed opportunity and adds it is another case of "corporate profits trumping ecological needs."

The recently released Ontario Bee Health Working Group Report concludes that the use of neonicotinoid treated seed should continue as usual.

Woodhouse says given the composition of the Group, which was weighted with representatives of chemical companies and field crop growers, it is not surprising.

He says it will allow chemical and seed companies to continue to sell farmers seed treated with neonicotinoid insecticides, while doing little to protect bees or our natural and agricultural ecosystems.

The National Farmers Union, along with the Ontario Beekeepers Association and other organizations had called on the Working Group to declare a moratorium on use of the treated seeds.

They also wanted an independent study done on Bee health.

Many beekeepers claim the neonicotinoids have been a major cause of honey bee die-offs in recent years.

Woodhouse says they are disappointed with the report, but will continue to educate farmers about the dangers of pesticide treated seed.

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Some seasonal farm workers are already in Ontario for the 2014 season.

Officials with the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program say the ones already here are helping at greenhouse operations.

About 16 thousand workers from other countries come every year to work on Ontario farms.